Plans are underway for a large credit union building in Creekside opposite the future Nita Lake Lodge.
The municipality is working on a rezoning application that will see the North Shore Credit Union build a large building at the west end of Lake Placid Road. The building will include the credit union, retail space, office space and residential units.
Municipal planner Chris Bishop said the North Shore Credit Union plans to move the bulk of its business to Creekside, leaving just a small location in the village.
The proposed building is more than 17,000 square feet and is three storeys high. By comparison, the Boston Pizza in Creekside is 6,265 square feet.
Council in general didn’t raise many red flags about the rezoning application. More than one councillor, however, expressed concerns about the lack of employee housing proposed in the rezoning.
The commercial development will generate 21 employees. The North Shore Credit Union intends to provide just two employee housing units within the building. It is not clear how they will fulfill the remainder of their employee housing commitment.
Generally, if a developer does not provide the required employee housing units for a rezoning, they must pay a fee per unit under the Employee Works and Service Charge bylaw. That fee is roughly $6,000.
Council has asked for a review of that fee which is expected to be complete in the new year.
An open house will be scheduled to give members of the community a chance to learn more about the rezoning.
Commuter bus approved
The popular Squamish-Whistler commuter bus is back for a second winter.
Service will begin on Saturday, Nov. 19, marking the end of a seven-month hiatus from the hugely successful pilot project which ended in April.
Whistler council put the final piece of the puzzle in place when it approved $80,000 to fund the bus service Monday night.
Enough money has been approved to date to run the commuter bus throughout the season from November until April.
The total costs for the project are just over $156,000. That will be split evenly between the RMOW and the District of Squamish. There is also the possibility of funding by the Ministry of Transportation.
